Ok listen everyone! This is important! No, i'm not kidding it really is! YOU NEED TO READ MY PROFILE IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND THIS CHAPTER! I can't upload 4 or 5 so i'm showing you 6 and seven right now. Thanks for the reviews and Sparkle Black, you askall the right questions. This is the summer between fifth and sixth and in later chapters you will see how it relates to the summary. I don't like stories that jump into things that's why i'm taking this is the chapter you've been waiting for... almost.
Chapter 6: A Woman's Worth
It was the week before the auditions and Hermione had stayed with Harry in Grimmuald place after getting her stuff from the hotel. Jason had sent in their names as participants as well as others that the main team scouted. It would work out perfectly if the Golden Trio made it to the same Quidditch team. Ron as Keeper, Harry as Seeker and Hermione as Chaser. They were in the Weasleys' backyard running plays that Harry and Ron wanted to try for the Gryffindor team. They used Hermione to take Ginny's place since Ginny was out with her mum.
"Guys, I think you're going to kick arse on Saturday." She said as they touched the ground for a lunch break; the three of them were sweating madly and were grateful for the soft cool breeze that played with their hair as they sat against a tree to rest
"WE'RE going to kick arse on Saturday, Hermione. Don't make yourself not included. You know you're even better than half those female pros. As good as old Katie." Harry said and Hermione sighed; yes it was definitely good to feel support.
"Oh Katie Bell was great. She whizzed by those beaters like a fly though a valley of cats. Nothing could touch her; incredible actually." Ron said
"How is Katie? Last I heard, she was going to be a Healer." Asked Hermione
"Yeah, I saw her in Diagon Alley. She's working at the dress robes store as a side job and has an internship at St. Mungo's. Doing pretty well actually." Harry said and then they saw Ginny rushing up to them flailing around a piece of paper
"Guys! The auditions been changed!" she reached them and was panting lightly as Harry took the paper and read
"Hermione, Ron…this says the auditions tomorrow…" Harry looked up at the two and they paled
"Well, we're just going to have to grin and bear it. I guess. Let's get some rest." Hermione said, putting each of her arms around the boys' waist and lead them to the house as Ginny went to Harry's other side
"Where did you get this Gin?" asked Ron as they grabbed some soda from the refrigerator
"I found it in the mailbox. I think that they knew that you two were always here so they just sent three over here." Ginny handed the other two to Hermione and Harry
Dear Participants,
It is our pleasure to congratulate you on succeeding to getting this far in the competition. But, we must also inform you that the auditions have been scheduled to go on August 30th at one o'clock in the afternoon instead of September 6th. The reasons are that of the teams' and we hope to see that you can make it. Your futures rest on this audition. Good Luck
-Bulgaria Centaurs
Hermione looked a bit pale but told herself to bear it. This would be the first time anyone other than her three friends and family would see her play. She knew she was as fast as Katie and more agile than even Harry, but what made her scared was her arm. She could throw wonderfully but at times of great discomfort, she can aim ahead of her and hit the house three houses to her left. She just needed to keep calm and breathe. Yeah, breathe.
"Hermione, you're hyperventilating." Ginny noticed as Hermione 'breathed'
"Oh…didn't…notice…." She muttered
"Don't worry Hermione. You'll do better than the Slytherins at the House cup."
"But they play dirty Harry…" Hermione argued
"At least you stopped hyperventilating." Ron said and Hermione playfully slapped him
"Let's just eat some snacks or something. Then we gotta go get our stuff ready. Remember to pack for two days worth of sweat Ron. But make sure you have something to cover it up too." Hermione said and Ginny giggled before waving her hand in front of her face
"You guys smell…Not only the boys Hermione. You smell, take a shower."
"Not now, I'm hungry." Hermione looked in the cupboard and found potato chips, Oreos and butter popcorn "This is a meal."
"I knew you acted like one of the guys, Hermione. A proper lady's meal consists of veggies and low fat yogurt to maintain her weight." Ginny scowled
"You serious Ginny?" Hermione looked at her friend in shock as she held popcorn in one fist and potato chips in the other
"NO! Now pass an Oreo."
That night, Hermione lay in her room next to Harry's in complete silence. She hadn't been to Bulgaria since Harry's birthday except to visit Jason and Lucas, the captain before Jason who got accepted to Muggle College for four years. Lucas was also kind to her so she was sad to see Jason's role model go but Jason had to grow and spread his wings by taking control of his teammates. She couldn't sleep; she just found reasons to stay awake and think about something. She heard rustling next to her and could tell Harry's light nimble footsteps on the floorboards. They had created an even stronger bond staying at Grimmuald place just the two of them. They argued about everything like electricity and groceries and stuff but their bond was so much stronger that not even Ginny or Ron could penetrate it. She loved it when he walked into her room late at night the best though. When he was nervous, or had another nightmare, she welcomed him with a free seat on her bed. And now, she could tell it was one of those times. He slowly opened her door, wincing as it creaked a bit.
"Hermione," he whispered "Are you awake?"
"Yes. I can't sleep either." She turned on her lamp and patted her bed before sitting straight up and lacing her hands over her pulled up knees "Come on Harry. Give me the pep talk of my life." He chuckled a bit before sitting in front of her
"You don't need the pep talk. You're going to be great. Better than even those guys who think they're so good and powerful. Its speed and agility that they need. You have that." Harry comforted
"Sigh Thanks Harry. What about you? You know you'll do just as well as me right? You have speed and agility too."
"Of course. All three of us are going to make it. I bet my Firebolt 100 on it." Harry said confidently
"By the way Harry, thanks a lot for your Firebolt. I know it means a lot to you."
"Sirius would know you needed it more than me. Besides, Seekers need to have the fastest brooms out there or else we can never catch that damn snitch. Look, it's almost midnight. I just wanted to check up on you. Let's get some sleep alright?" he stood and she nodded, getting on her knees and holding open her arms
"Yes, let's get some sleep," she hugged him "We're going to be great." She whispered before kissing him on the forehead in a friendly gesture "Night Harry." He pecked her on the head
"Night Hermione."
They were finally there. It had taken them long to get courage but, being Gryffindors, they got it soon. There stood Hermione, with a bookbag swung on one shoulder and a larger duffle bag on the other, in between Ron and Harry, each with their own bookbags. The Golden Trio looked behind them to see Ginny running towards them. She held her bookbag close to her and she smiled.
"I'm sneaking in. Shh…" she whispered at Hermione, who giggled
She knew her friend wasn't really doing that. Just staying with them as moral support for the rigorous tests they would be getting. They were met by Lucas, who greeted each one with care and kindness. Lucas was the same height as Jason, only a year older, with black hair and the softest violet eyes you've ever seen. Ron always thought this was why Hermione wanted to come to Bulgaria. But even when he said it, he knew better. Lucas showed the three contestants inside the pitch with Ginny close behind. Only about seven others were on the pitch, chatting incoherently or staring at the clouds that covered the sun for two seconds.
"You guys will stay here until the time is right. We're only going to do tests that don't include flying but bringing your brooms was a great precaution. Hermione, are you going to…" Lucas asked, unsure of how he should put it
"Yes, I'm going to try out. And yes, I'm going to avoid him." Lucas nodded at her reassurance
"Well, I've got to go greet the other participants. See you in a hour." He waved them off as they went in opposite directions
"Oh man, Hermione. Look at all these cuties." Ginny was at Hermione's right as she looked at a boy with dirty blond hair and blue eyes
"You're taken." Hermione muttered as Harry and Ron were in their own conversation
"That doesn't mean I can't look. I won't sample anything, just window shopping. Geez, try it. These might be your new teammates. You should get to know them better."
"I know all the teammate I need."
"I can't believe this! Granger's here too?" a deep voice said
Hermione swiveled around and came face to face with him. His silvery blond hair was framing his face with his bangs just meeting his feathery eyelashes. His angelic face held a set of pale pink lips that were curling into a lopsided grin and eyes of the most unusual color. They were emotional channels, his eyes. One minute swirling light grey with delight or like it was now, stormy with confusion. Hermione couldn't believe how his eyes just dragged you in like that.
"Hello Draco. Who picked you?" she merely said thinking that at least there were some Hogwarts students here that she knew; even if they were rivals at school, she knew that Draco would love to be the only one to tease her and that would make him stop anyone from making a mockery of her unless it was him, which she could handle
"Viktor Krum. Who picked you... Hermione?" it seemed that he was civil because they both had the same logic- see he's smart.
"Jason Phillips. Harry and Ron are here too."
"Good, Potter's are the only real competition for me here compared to these failures. So what's special about you?" he asked in an intrigued voice
"I'm a Chaser." He nodded
"I know you're here for Seeker but…which position would you choose if you don't get chosen for that?" by now Ginny found this highly uninteresting and went to talk to that blond boy
"Hopefully, Chaser as well." He sat on his Nimbus 2001, which hovered a foot above ground, creating a chair
"I think that you suite Chaser better than Seeker, Draco." She copied him, wishing her broom had a back to it
"Really, how so?" he hadn't thought anyone would agree with him
"Well, no offense but you're kind of heavy for a seeker." He glared at her "Hey, I said no offense. They're supposed to be light, nimble and agile creatures with a quick broom and even quicker reflexes. Though you have the broom and reflexes, you're not exactly as nimble and agile as Harry. He's able to go through the wind like a bird because he weighs so much less than you. Chaser would suite you more since you're able to have a clear head during matches and you have a great arm. I'm just observing anyway. I could be wrong." She shrugged and looked away while Draco contemplated what she said
"You know what Hermione? I think you're right about me. What broom is that?" he pointed to the Firebolt
"Oh a Firebolt." She smiled as she patted it affectionately, he gawked at the name, but she was still gawking mentally at the fact that her name sounded like heaven when he said it
"No fair. I still have the Nimbus 2001." He pouted like a child, but acted his age by not crossing his arms
"This was a present from Harry since he got the Firebolt 100."
"Are you serious Hermione? Potter's got the new Firebolt? I heard it didn't come out-"
"Until next year. Yes, yes, I thought that too. He told me that Ron's brothers found it for him. They got Ron a Firebolt too, just to make him happy."
"Where'd they get it? It's nowhere on Diagon alley…"
And so, it was unmistaken that the Gryffindor Angel and the Prince of Slytherin were having a civil conversation. How, no one can really remember. But, when Jason Phillips and Viktor Krum entered the pitch, the two Hogwarts students fell silent as they walked to the middle of it. The participants out of nowhere fell in awe of the two men only a few years older than they. Jason smiled at everyone to try to relax the sixth years to be, but it didn't help with Krum staring at each of them like a bird of prey. His glum look changed into a wide smirk as he saw Hermione. She held her head high as he eyed her. She knew she shouldn't have worn her Angels blue jeans with her small red baby tee. It hugged her too much even if it was comfortable, and the whole pitch knew it. Ginny patted Hermione, Harry and Ron on the back, who was now next to Hermione and raced for the stands, creating a one-woman crowd.
"Welcome sixteen year olds to the Bulgaria Centaurs' two year training program!" Jason started trying to sound professional but ended cracking up instead "That sounded stupid. Look, you all know why you're here and we all know you're here, the damn introductions to the program are unneeded." Most chuckled at his sense of humor
"Get a grip Phillips; you know we have to tell them." Krum said, even though he was against it as well; Lucas ran in, not looking, and bumped into Hermione and Draco, who were still sitting on their brooms "Lucas honestly, you're getting clumsier than I am."
"That's saying something considering you practically live with your toes bandaged up, Krum." He said and the laughs were more relaxed
"These people only play around. No work at all. We're here for an audition, not a comedy show." Draco muttered and Hermione giggled lightly
"Right you are, Draco." Hermione and Lucas said at the same time
"Now, today's first tests are going to be about speed off your broom. To be good in the air, you need to be good on foot. Krum's an exception but the rest of you aren't. Change into some comfortable running clothes guys-" Jason was interrupted
"Hey!" Ginny and Hermione yelled
"And girl…" he said smirking
"Thank you." Hermione replied while Draco shook his head, holding back a laugh
"And let's see how quick you are." The boys all entered single fill and followed Krum as he lead them to the locker room; the only ones left were the Gryffindors, Jason, Lucas and Draco. They were dressed in comfortable clothes already, which consisted of loose fitting jeans and a long tee. Ginny rushed down quickly and made her way to Harry.
"So…You all ready Gryffindors?" Draco asked out loud, still sitting across from Hermione
"As ready as we'll ever be. How about you Malfoy?" Harry replied with softness in his voice and steps, as if not wanting to fight right now
It was now Draco noticed what Hermione said was right. You could tell that Harry was nimble and agile by the way he silently walked to them, his feet barely touched the ground with each step, as if he were flying on his toes instead of a broom. Draco made a note to try to learn to walk like that: silent but with presence. He walked loud and with presence but the first sounded much better and skilled.
"Same here Po-Harry." He grinned and soon, everyone on that pitch knew that Hogwarts was a school united
"Harry," Hermione started "Tell Draco where you got your Firebolt 100. I told him as much as I knew."
"I'm telling you I don't know. Fred and George found it for me so I gave them the money and they bought it." Harry shrugged and copied their sitting style, it was quite comfortable
"I'll find it somewhere…" Draco vowed and the Gryffindors laughed
"Hermione!" Jason ran up to them, he was talking to Lucas before, and put an arm on her shoulders "You alright?"
"Of course Jason, couldn't be any better. Why?"
"Well, you know…Krum and everything…you should know you're worth more than that…and…" Jason muttered, the boys looked at Hermione confused but she merely wore a determined face
"Don't you worry about me, Jason Phillips. I'm going to do just fine." The two smiled at each other and Lucas saw the others returning
"Alright everyone. We're going to group you in groups of four and see how quick you are. Two laps around the pitch. The fastest two of each group will compete against each other tomorrow. Winner gets highest marks; second gets second highest and so on. You'll get marks based on running style, time and breathing regularity. First group is Justin, William, Ariel, and Mario."
Justin was the blond boy Hermione had seen earlier. William was a kind looking Russian with green eyes and dirty brown hair that framed his face like Draco's. Ariel was an Austrian red head with hazel eyes, a little more built than Krum and Mario was an Italian with black hair and dark brown eyes. The four lined up at the starting line and burst off at the sound of Lucas' whistle. Ariel came in first, clocking a time of 2 minutes 5 seconds, followed by William and then Justin and Mario came in at a tie.
"See, not so hard. Now, Hermione, Harry, Ron and Draco. You're up." He pointed to the starting line
"Good luck everyone! Especially you." Ginny yelled gave Harry a kiss and ran off while Harry blushed
"Thanks Gin." Hermione yelled back before handing Jason her broom "Hold this, I'll be back in a minute."
"See you later Harry. I'll be long past the finish line." Draco smirked as he got ready; Ron and Hermione were at the ends and Draco was next to Hermione while Harry next to Ron
"In your dreams Draco." Harry smirked
"Shut up and get ready. You're going to wish you never brought me." Hermione said and the boys looked at her
"As if we would think that." Harry said
But when the whistle blew, Hermione was once again right about something. She beamed past the three Hogwarts boys and left them in shock for two milliseconds before they started. Draco was second with Harry right on his tail. Ron was right behind Harry but everyone could tell that Hermione had a huge lead. She even stopped so that Draco was only a meter behind her. Soon they were neck and neck.
"How's it feel Draco?" she said, not out of breathe at all
"How's what feel?" he panted and looked behind him, Harry and Ron were tied as well
"To lose to the Gryffindor Angel." She winked before getting and extra burst of speed and finishing the first lap, leaving Draco in the dust
"Hermione's clocked in at a forty five seconds!" Lucas said, startling everyone as he read the stop watch
The second lap went much more quickly than the first seeing as Hermione didn't stop. Surprisingly, you would think Ron would've done better than her seeing as he has long legs but not the case at all. The boy can't run well, that's all. Harry and Draco were dead tied as Hermione finished her second lap while they were only halfway done.
"You shouldn't have brought her." Draco said, panting slightly
"Why…not?" Harry asked
"She's making us look bad!" Draco yelled before bursting ahead of Harry;
"Hermione's final time: 1 minute ten seconds! It looks like this girl's got game everyone!" Jason said and the group clapped as Harry got in third.
"Hermione?" Draco asked and she swiveled around, a rush of pink pasted on her cheeks from the running
"Yeah Draco?" she saw his cheeks pink as well from the running, though on him, his cheeks looked red on his pale face
"Never run against me in school. I don't want to look like a prissy little nancy boy losing to you." She laughed and handed Draco a water bottle
"I promise. Besides, I'll be kicking your arsein Quidditch anyway." She smirked and he was oddly reminded of his own
"Alright we have one more group to go. Karl, Richard, Trey, and Ken."
Trey, an American came in first, followed by Ken, a Canadian, Karl, another American and finally Richard, a half Japanese 16 year old that was clairvoyant. Still, no time could beat Hermione's and Draco's, which was a minute thirty seconds. Lucas, Jason and Krum crowded around the clipboard and pointed, jabbed and crossed out anything they didn't like. The participants looked on nervously as it looked like Krum had always got the final word. After debating for fifteen minutes, the three turned around.
"Well, it's no shock that Hermione scored highest-"
"GO HERMIONE!" Ginny yelled and her friend blushed until Draco nudged her to look at Jason
"-so there is only one more test to do today. This one tests agility, strength and aim. First group, go to that line. Second group, this line. Karl and Richard go with the first group and you two go with the second group. Now," with a wave of his wand, three quaffle sized balls appeared halfway between the two teams "play dodge ball at my whistle. Everyone clear?"
"Huh?" everyone except Trey, Harry and Hermione was confused
"Dodge ball is a sport where two teams of equal number throw the ball at their opponents first team with all people out loses." Hermione recited "If the ball is thrown to you and you catch it, the person who threw it is out. If you are hit, you are out." Jason nodded
"Now everyone clear?" they nodded
"At my whistle…Tweet"
It was a fierce game of dodge ball. Hermione Harry and Draco were the first to get the balls. Draco and Harry threw them right from that line and hit Justin and Karl in the face. Ken got out quickly as did Trey. Hermione looked like she was having a grand old time though, dodging things left and right and leaping like a wood nymph. When Draco was looking around to hit Richard, William had been able to catch the ball that Ron threw him and was now aiming at the Slytherin Prince. Hermione saw this and tackled Draco to the ground, who brought Harry and all three were on the ground as the ball zoomed above them. "Good reflexes Hermione!" Lucas yelled. The ball William had thrown was picked up by Hermione, who called for cover as she aimed at him. Harry and Draco covered her as she looked for the Russian. Locating him, Hermione winded up and shot the ball underhand right into the small of William's back. He howled with pain from the 70 mph throw as Hermione did a small dance of victory. It was soon Harry, Draco and Hermione versus Ariel, Mario and Richard. Draco hit Richard while he was running back to his teammates and than pushed Hermione unto the ground when a ball Ariel threw was headed her way. She nodded a silent thanks as she went to where Richard's ball had rolled away and was going to pick it up when Harry shouted. She looked up and found a ball headed right at her face. She held up her hands and caught the fastball before turning around and beaming it back into Mario's face. At his scream, Ariel turned and Draco took this opportunity to hit him in the ear.
"Team two wins!" Krum yelled and the six people congratulated each other "Round of applause for the losing team…" polite clapping as Mario had a broken nose, William had a bruised back and Ariel had a deaf ear "Now, our most valuable players: Draco and Harry!" a roar was heard from the four people cheering: Ginny, Ron, Trey, Hermione and Ken. They didn't notice that he forgot Hermione.
"Now, you're all going to stay in the Sophia hotel. Two will share a suite seeing that one could wake the other if anything happens. Now the pairs: Harry with Ron, Justin with Trey, Ken with Karl, Hermione with Draco, Richard with William, and Ariel with Mario. I'm taking you up. Grab your bags and let's go."
"Draco…" Hermione looked at her roommate as she swung her bag unto her shoulder
"Yeah Hermione…" he said more than asked as he dazedly got his broom off the floor
"Should we bring up the differences?" she saw Harry and Ron helping Ginny down from the stands
"Think they'll listen?"
"Doubt it. Then there's someone who has a room to himself."
"Let's make the best of this then Hermione. It's not like I'll go through your underwear drawers. Unless… you want me to." He winked at her before following Krum and the others; Harry and Ron caught up to her
"Did he just say what I think he did?" Ginny asked and Hermione blushed furiously
"What? What'd Draco say?" Harry ask
"Nothing. Just for me to keep to my side of the room." And the four followed the Slytherin Prince
I love you guys for putting up with my crazy antics and again, sorry for now 4 or 5 but i think the length of this and the next one will be pretty good enough to make up for it. Please review!